Browning M1919
Overview
M1919A4
A M1919A4 in service with Canadian forces who designate it the C5 machine gun.
Source: US Army (photographer unknown) -
© public domain
John Browning
United States - Buffalo Arms Comporation
United States - Colt
United States - General Motors
Belgium - Fabrique Nationale
Sweden
United Kingdom - BSA
C5 (Canadian C1 in 7.62mm NATO)
Ksp m/42 (Swedish service)
L3A1, L3A3 (UK service fixed version)
L3A2, L3A4 (UK service flexible version)
MG A4 (Austrian service M1919A4)
Mg M/52-I (M1919A4 in Danish service)
Mg M/52-II (M1919A5 in Danish service)
Mle 1938 (FN produced M1919 in 7.5mm French)
Wz 32 (Polish M1919 in 7.92mm Mauser)
Description
Introduction
The M1919 is a machine gun of US origin. It was developed after World War 1 by John Browning for the US forces. The M1919 and its derivatives were the standard medium machine gun during World War 2 for the US forces and was produced in very large quantities. Nowadays most M1919 are replaced or relegated to reserve use, although small numbers remain in service.
Design
The M1919 is an air-cooled development of the Browning M1917 water cooled machine gun. It uses that same short recoil mechanism but replaces the water cooled barrel with an air cooled barrel covered in a shroud. The M1919 fires the .30-06 round from cloth or linked belts that are inserted on the left of the weapon. A pistol grip and trigger are located on the rear of the receiver and a swivel point at the front of the receiver is used to mount the weapon on a tripod.
Firepower
The M1919 fires the .30-06 rounds from belts of various lengths. Foreign models were also produced in 7.92mm Mauser, .303 British, 6.5mm Swedish and 7.5mm French. The cyclic rate of fire is rather low at 400 to 550 rpm. When used on a tripod the maximum effective range is 1 km. The M1919 proved it was a reliable weapon during its use in World War 2 and many Asian and African conflicts.
Users
The M1919 was widely used throughout World War 2 and the Korean War. Many nations with ties to the USA acquired the M1919 and used it in many other conflicts. In US service the it was replaced by the M60 for infantry use and by M73 for vehicle use. In most other nations it was replaced by the MAG general purpose machine gun. Nowadays the M1919 is mostly in reserve use or phased out, but a few nations and irregular forces still use the M1919.
Variants
M1919A4
A M1919A4 machine gun mounted on a M2 tripod.
Source: www.browningmgs.com -
© copyright lies with original owner
The M1919 was first developed for infantry use and was later adapted to various other use. The M1919 was to be used on a tripod and was operated by a two or three man team. The M1919A4 is by far the most common variant for infantry use.
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Related articles
Browning M1919A6
The M1919A6 is a redesigned M1919A4 with shoulder stock for infantry use. The A6 model is more mobile than the A4, but proved of limited practicality.